Argentine Farmers Give Away 10,000 Kg of Vegetables in Protest

[Judi Lynn]

Buenos Aires, Jul 18 (Prensa Latina) A long line stood out today in front of La Rural fairground where small Argentine producers protested distributing 10,000 kg of vegetables in rejection of the policies implemented in this sector.

With the so-called Verdurazo, farmers sent a signal to the Ministry of Agribusiness, which in recent days eliminated the Social Agricultural Monotributo (MSA), with which poor families who produce fruits and vegetables could access to retirement and other programs.

Hundreds of people queued up early to receive some of the products they offered for free, in the midst of the constant rise in inflation, right in front of La Rural where the agro-export sector celebrates an event.

The workers of that sector, who pointed out that they are living through a terminal crisis, delivered a bag of vegetables, fruits and vegetables to those who passed by the place.

More:
http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=31235&SEO=argentine-farmers-give-away-10000-kg-of-vegetables-in-protest

[sandensea]

1. Holding the protest outside the Argentine Rural Society expo grounds is quite meaningful

The Argentine Rural Society, for those unfamiliar, represents the nation's largest landowners (many of them absentee landlords with little or no familiarity with agriculture itself).

A veritable throwback to 19th century Argentina, they tolerate only puppets and their politics tend to be fascist (many, in fact, supported Hitler during the war).

Though the industrial and services sectors have far eclipsed farming, large landowners often view themselves as the true "owners" of Argentina - and to be fair, agriculture still earns about half the nation's foreign exchange (hence their leverage).

Accordingly, any tax money not spent on them, or given back to them by way of tax cuts, deductions, and so on, is deeply resented by the Rural Society - whose former head is now Ag Minister.

Now that the country is in a debt crisis again (any many predicted it would, once Macri took office), everyone is being asked to sacrifice - even critical benefits such as discounted medicine, student aid, fare/utility rate subsidies, and, as noted in the article, even pensions.

Everyone except large landowners, who demanded - and got - Macri's assurance that their export taxes will be cut even further, even over the IMF's objections. And the proceeds? They're ferreting them overseas - including Miami, where Argentines now account for 14% of all foreign real estate purchases.

Thanks for posting this, Judi. Here's footage from the event. It's in Spanish; but the growers' expression and tone is eloquent. Sales are down, their production prices are up, interest rates are throw the roof (70%+) and now they're even losing their pensions.

Consumers, as you can see, aren't doing much better themselves (and this is in a solidly middle class area).